A forest a day! July 6: BB021E

A proposed new road and logging coupe in the Barnback Creek region has the potential to destroy the values of a previously unroaded forest area in the Lower Weld Valley. However, there is still time for these forests to be protected as logging has not commenced yet.

Barnback Creek, located in southern Tasmania, flows through wet fern-filled forests into the Weld River. A new 2.5km road and logging area of 70 hectares is planned for the northern flank of the creek, which would destroy significant stands of Eucalyptus regnans and Eucalyptus obliqua.

Forestry Tasmania plans to cable log the area. The Federal Government’s inadequate conservation agreement left this area open for logging. This forest is a spectacular mixed aged eucalypt forest.

In 2006 a new logging road was built named Eric Pettets Road. After 16 months of direct action by peaceful protesters who blockaded the proposed road extension with a spectacular Weld Ark, the road was pushed further into the previously unroaded area. More than 50 people were arrested in the ensuing protests. Two areas of forest have been logged along this road.

The new proposed road would push in to previously unlogged forest off Eric Pettets Rd.

Barnback Creek is a 6km tributary of the Weld River. During the community blockade and since, thousands of people visited the area, explored the forests, studied them and defended the forests from logging on the frontline.

This significant roading operation was due to commence in January 2012, and then logging was to commence this winter. These forests will go to feed the mill of Malaysian logging giant Ta Ann.[i]

The delay for this new road and logging operation means that these forests still have a chance to be protected.

BB021E is in a sea of Dixonia antarctica or manferns. This species is very slow growing, between 1 – 10 cms a year depending on the conditions. It can live up to 1000 years and the trunk of tree ferns provide habitat to the twelve species of Tasmanian epiphytic ferns.[ii] Dicksonia antarctica is a very important component of the Tasmanian bush. It is extremely hardy and tolerates temperatures from -10 degrees celcius to 40 degrees celsius, prefers fertile organic soils and moist, humid conditions with some shade. The tender and fleshy croziers (the young, uncurling fronds) can be a food source for native animals such as possums and parrots.[iii]

Please CLICK HERE and take a moment to help defend Tasmania’s forests.

For more information about the ‘A forest a day’ project, which is a collaboration between Huon Valley Environment Centre, Still Wild Still Threatened, The Last Stand, Markets for Change and Code Green, please click HERE.

References:
[i] Hoffman, O. 23 December 2011 Rescheduling Work – January and February 2012, As requested by The Australian Government 21 November 2012 [view online]
[ii] Gibson, M, & Leahy, L., (2010) Flora and Fauna Guide to the Upper Florentine Valley.
[iii] Richard Barnes, Department of Primary Industries and Water [view online]

Thank you for describing these southern forests. It helps when I can read more stories about individual tree species and plants and which ecosystems they support. You’re doing good work in raising awareness and showing images is good too! And exposing loggers practices and governments’ inadequacies. xxx

These pics show a particularly beautiful forest under story…it reminds me of small pockets of East Gippsland…people in Europe can only dream of area’s like this…the fact that they are planning to log it is disgraceful to say the least….its hard to believe people could be so foolish.